Diffuser

Abstract

A chain driven diffuser for use in a sugar extraction process, the diffuser including a diffuser floor, a plurality of chain ladder assemblies being displaceable relative to the diffuser floor, with each chain Id-der assembly comprising two opposing chains being driven by drive sprockets characterized in that at least some of the drive sprockets of the diffuser are driven independently from some of the other drive sprockets of the diffusor.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A chain driven diffuser for use in a sugar extraction process, the diffuser including:
 a perforated diffuser floor; and 
 a plurality of chain ladder assemblies being displaceable relative to the perforated diffuser floor, with each chain ladder assembly comprising two opposing chains being driven by drive sprockets and having slats extending therebetween so as to form an articulated frame; 
 that wherein at least one of the drive sprockets of at least one of the chain ladder assemblies is driven independently from at least one other of the drive sprockets of at least one other of the chain ladder assemblies. 
 
     
     
       2. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 1 , in which the diffuser includes at least two independent drive shafts, each independent drive shaft carrying a number of drive sprockets. 
     
     
       3. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 2 , wherein each independent drive shaft is driven by a driving means, which in turn drives the drive shaft. 
     
     
       4. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 3 , wherein the driving means comprises a motor that drives a gearbox. 
     
     
       5. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 3  or  claim 4 , wherein driving means are provided at one end of each drive shaft. 
     
     
       6. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 3  or  claim 4 , wherein driving means are provided at opposing ends of each drive shaft. 
     
     
       7. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the drive sprockets of at least one of the chain ladder assemblies is driven by way of direct driving means without the use of drive shafts. 
     
     
       8. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein each of the drive sprockets of each of the chain ladder assemblies is independently driven by direct driving means. 
     
     
       9. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein two adjacent drive sprockets of two adjacent of said plurality of chain ladder assemblies are driven by a common driving means. 
     
     
       10. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein the driving means comprises a motor and gearbox arrangement. 
     
     
       11. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the drive sprockets of at least one of the chain ladder assemblies is mounted on a slewing ring bearing, and wherein a geared section of the slewing ring bearing is driven by the driving means. 
     
     
       12. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 11 , wherein two adjacent drive sprockets of two adjacent of said plurality of chain ladder assemblies are mounted on the same geared section of the slewing ring bearing. 
     
     
       13. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 12 , wherein the slewing ring is driven by a single pinion, which is in turn driven by a single driving means. 
     
     
       14. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 12 , wherein the slewing ring is driven by multiple pinions, each of which is driven by its own driving means. 
     
     
       15. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 12 , wherein the slewing ring is driven by multiple planet pinions, which may in turn be driven by a sun gear. 
     
     
       16. The chain driven diffuser of  claim 15 , wherein a number of sun gears of adjacent sprocket arrangements are driven by a single drive shaft.